St. Kilian Exceptional Range Mizunara – Peated
Attention whisky nerds: If you think you've tasted everything - stop for a moment. The St. Kilian Exceptional Range Mizunara - Peated is not a standard bottling, but an aromatic border crosser that is anything but predictable. This limited single cask bottling from the renowned St. Kilian Distillery combines Japanese elegance with German innovative spirit.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The first moment? Surprisingly restrained. A hint of cold smoke, almost shy, lies over a warm, dark fruity centre. Plums, sultanas, a touch of caramel, light but present. And then there is this ‘funky’ element - elusive, slightly fermented, perhaps a greeting from the Mizunara oak? It remains exciting.
Palate
Boom. On the palate, the whisky hits like a spice merchant from Kyoto. Black pepper, clove, sandalwood and tart herbs - complex, powerful, almost impossible to categorise. The smoke remains in the background, allowing the spices to take centre stage. The texture: extremely full-bodied, almost creamy, but with an edgy, wildly natural depth. Not beginner material - this is a sensory labyrinth.
Finish
The smoke only returns in the finish - cold, pebbly, slightly ashy, a bit like a campfire at dawn. Then fruit again, this time red berries, subtly embedded. The finish is long, voluminous, complex - and this is where the whisky becomes an experience.
Thoughts
Marcel 83/100
Not a whisky for the faint-hearted, but that’s exactly what makes the St. Kilian Exceptional Range Mizunara – Peated so thrilling. The surprising spice notes and the mysterious Mizunara oak invite you to dive in and marvel – an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.
Sascha 83/100
With a complex balance of spicy wood notes, bitter herbs, and restrained smoke, this Mizunara-Peated impresses through its layered structure and powerful finish. Technically flawless, it challenges the connoisseur with its dense aromatic profile and the unusual interplay of Mizunara oak and peat.
Value for Money: No rating
Discover our value for money winnersThis product was kindly provided to us by St. Kilian. This does not influence our rating. No payments or other benefits were received in exchange for this provision.
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83/100Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Mizunara oak in the St. Kilian Exceptional Range Mizunara – Peated special?
Mizunara oak is a rare Japanese oak species that imparts unique aromas to the whisky. In the St. Kilian Mizunara – Peated, it provides a slightly fermentative, “funky” aroma that sets it apart from classic oak cask notes and creates an exciting, complex depth.
How does the peat smoke influence the taste of this whisky compared to other smoky whiskies?
In the St. Kilian Mizunara – Peated, the smoke takes a more subtle backseat. It is cold, mineral-like, and ashy, especially present in the finish, complementing the dominant spice and fruit notes rather than overpowering them, which distinguishes it from heavily smoky whiskies.
Why does the St. Kilian Exceptional Range Mizunara – Peated have no age statement (No Age Statement)?
Omitting an age statement allows the distillery to blend casks of varying maturities to achieve a particularly complex and balanced flavor profile. This way, the focus can be on quality and character rather than age alone.